US-Backed Somalia Commandos Kill 4 Al-Shabab Fighters

Somali and U.S. commandos stormed a camp for al-Shabab extremist fighters in an overnight raid, killing at least four of the fighters and rescuing dozens of child conscripts, a Somali intelligence official said Friday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said special forces raided the camp in Jame’o village in Middle Shabelle region. A local commander was among those killed, he said.

A second official confirmed the raid, which was carried out with the support of helicopters that later evacuated the young recruits.

Human Rights Watch earlier in the week accused al-Shabab of the forced recruitment of hundreds of children in recent months. The recruitment of children is a long-standing practice of the al-Qaida-linked group which faces growing military pressure across south and central Somalia.

“Al-Shabab bas once again demonstrated their barbarity and their complete disregard for human rights,” the minister said. “The group uses these indoctrination camps to brainwash young men and force them to conduct attacks and suicide bombings.” He said Somalia’s military was making “significant progress” in retaking territory from the extremist group.